B&W, true, your perspective and methods are different from Saul’s, nevertheless I always read your posts with interest.
My situation is different from both yours and Saul’s. I retired in 2010 with a guaranteed benefits pension. That along with other current sources of income covers my current cost of living. If my investments suddenly went to zero I would be traumatized, but really it would not impact my lifestyle tomorrow. I invest and hope to build my portfolio because I recognize the ravishes of inflation (which has been abnormally low for the last several years). In other words, I’m acutely aware that without enhanced resources, my current lifestyle can not persist. And even if inflation remains low, there’s just the simple fact that I’m getting older. How long can I continue to cut my own grass? I don’t know, but I know there will come a time when I’ll need to pay someone else to do it.
I would love to be in your position. I would love to have a less risky portfolio such that I could comfortably live only on the distributions. But, I’m not there - yet. So, I’m willing to live with greater investment risk, at least for now. How long? Maybe as much as 10 years, I hope less.
Keep posting - I’m still learning.